Results 1,941-1,960 of 2,118 for speaker:Michael Mullins

Seanad: Order of Business (22 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I have been provided with information that calls into question the basis on which the programme was made. I ask that the Leader invite the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to the House to discuss the awful injustice done to Fr. Reynolds and the potential injustice to other victims named in the programme and what appropriate action can be taken in that regard.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I very much support Senator Noone's comment on our being more professional in how we do our business. We all want to see a much more effective and productive Seanad. We should consider the amount of time lost yesterday through the calling of votes and alterations to the Order of Business.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: We lost at least an hour and a half yesterday that could have been used productively.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: There are ways of making points other than through losing considerable productive time.

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: The main proposal exercising people's minds at present is probably that of the Minister for Social Protection on sick pay. We all know sick pay comprises a difficulty but the manner in which it is being handled is not in the interest of increasing employment and protecting small businesses. There is certainly a problem with sick pay throughout the public service that needs to be addressed,...

Seanad: Social Protection: Statements, Questions and Answers (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister. We are all aware that significant benefits are going into many houses, particularly houses with large families, yet children in many of those homes are among the most deprived. Will the Department consider targeting some resources to help those families? Perhaps some of the suggestions made by Senator Feargal Quinn are worthy of consideration. It is appalling to...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I welcome the Minister of State to the House, congratulate and compliment her on the comprehensive report she has given to the House and wish her success in her challenging Ministry. Never before have we had needed such a Ministry to be as successful as we need it to be now. The programme for Government identifies that Ireland's economic growth must be export led and commits to achieving...

Seanad: Overseas Trade: Statements (17 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: To help us to achieve our priorities and targets, we must focus on strengthening our international profile and improving our reputation abroad. There has been much progress made in the past eight or nine months in enhancing our reputation abroad and getting the public finances in order. We must maximise the benefit of trade missions and continue to leverage the benefit of St. Patrick's Day...

Seanad: Alcohol Pricing: Motion (16 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Tá an t-am caite.

Seanad: Water Services (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (16 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Who brought that in?

Seanad: Order of Business (16 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I ask the Leader to organise an early debate on the drugs problem in Ireland. I note reports in this morning's newspapers that Ireland is in the top half of the league in respect of the use and abuse of certain types of drugs. Violent murders take place day after day, as do many drug-related suicides and the decimation and destruction of families and young people. Moreover, anti-social...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I wish to support my two colleagues from County Louth on the naming of the bridge and to pay tribute to Mary McAleese on the wonderful job she did over the past 14 years. It would be a fitting testament to her work. As I did not do so last week, I join in the congratulations extended to our new President, Michael D. Higgins, to wish him well in the Áras and to compliment everyone who was...

Seanad: Order of Business (15 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: It is important to raise such an issue in this House. Even when the arrears were cleared for the aforementioned struggling young couple by family members, it took five days before their supply was reinstated. This is not acceptable in this day and age and the Minister should discuss the behaviour of energy suppliers with Members in this Chamber. I ask that the Leader might arrange for the...

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I join the call for discussions with the Tánaiste following the appalling news we heard this morning that seven of our citizens were arrested at the airport and held in detention. This is totally unacceptable and it must be addressed by the Tánaiste and the Israeli Ambassador. I wish to raise an issue that has received a good deal of coverage in the newspapers, that is, the problem of...

Seanad: Community and Voluntary Sector: Statements, Questions and Answers (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I would like to ask two brief questions. The Minister referred in his speech to the ongoing discussions he is having with trade unions, etc., with a view to possibly being able to extend the range of activity and type of work that can be done under community employment schemes and what used to be known as FÁS schemes. Local authorities used to look after many activities but, as a result of...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I support the call for a debate with the Tánaiste on the situation in Gaza. While I deplore the continued detention of 14 Irish people, it would be better if all the facts about these issues were put on the table. We need a balanced discussion on this issue. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is certainly a concern for us all. We need to see what we can do as a Parliament to advance peace...

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: I feel it is a futile exercise.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: It is unreasonable to expect a Minister to come to the House at the drop of a hat, or at the whim of the Opposition. Very valuable time is being lost. Yesterday, we lost a half an hour when the Minister for Education and Skills was due to attend the House to discuss the changes to the junior certificate. It is a waste of time.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Yes. There must be a better way to do things. I ask the Leader and the leaders of the various groupings to see if there is a more effective way to achieve what Senator O'Brien wants to achieve.

Seanad: Order of Business (9 Nov 2011)

Michael Mullins: Yes. I ask the Leader and the leaders of the other groupings to see if there is a better way to deal with urgent issues rather than tabling an amendment to the Order of Business which results in the loss of valuable time in which we could discuss issues which are scheduled. Non-scheduled activities such as this should be dealt with in a different way.